How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink After Preparing Chicken

After handling and preparing raw chicken in the kitchen it’s essential to thoroughly clean and disinfect your sink. Raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter that can easily spread to surfaces utensils, and other foods if not properly cleaned up. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning your kitchen sink after preparing chicken.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

To start you’ll need to gather the following cleaning supplies

• Dish soap or other degreasing soap
• Sponge or dishcloth
• Paper towels
• All-purpose household cleaner or bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water)

Make sure to have these ready before you begin cleaning

Remove Any Remaining Food Debris

First, remove any remaining pieces of raw chicken, bones, skin, or juices from the sink. Scrape off or wipe away any visible debris using paper towels and throw it directly in the garbage. Don’t rinse chicken juices down the drain.

Wash With Hot, Soapy Water

Next, wash the sink basin, faucet, handles, and surrounding countertops using hot water, dish soap, and a sponge or dishcloth. Scrub all surfaces thoroughly, making sure to reach crevices, corners, and the garbage disposal (if equipped). The hot water and soap will help loosen and remove grease and bacteria.

Rinse and Dry

Once washed, rinse everything thoroughly with hot water. Be sure to rinse away all soap residue. Let the water drain completely, then dry the sink and counters with clean paper towels.

Disinfect With Bleach or Cleaner

As a final step, it’s important to disinfect the sink after washing. Spray or wipe household bleach solution or all-purpose cleaner over all surfaces. Let it sit for several minutes, then rinse and dry with new paper towels. This will kill any remaining harmful bacteria.

You may need to scrub heavily soiled areas again. Repeat the wash and disinfect steps as needed.

Wash and Sanitize Sponges, Cloths, and Hands

Don’t forget to immediately wash any sponges, dishcloths, and scrub brushes used in hot, soapy water. It’s also wise to sanitize them with a bleach solution.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after cleaning. Avoid cross-contamination by using a paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Prevent Clogs and Odors

To help prevent clogs and odors, run hot water and grind up lemon peels in your garbage disposal after cleaning the sink. You can also pour a cup of bleach or baking soda down the drain weekly.

By thoroughly washing, disinfecting, and drying your kitchen sink after handling raw chicken, you can help kill harmful bacteria and prevent it from spreading. Make this cleaning routine a habit after preparing poultry.